GLOSSARY

air masses (AYR MAS es) — large bodies of air

anemometer (AN-ih-MOHM-ih-ter) — an instrument used to measure wind speed

atmosphere (AT-muhs-FEER) — the large belt of gases that surrounds the Earth

barometer (buh-ROHM-ih-ter) — an instrument used to measure air pressure

cirrus (SIR-us) — thin,wispy clouds that signal warmer weather is coming

cold front (KOLD FRUHNT) — weather that occurs when a cold air mass is pushing against a warm air mass

condensation (CON-dehn-SAY-shuhn) — the process that occurs when water vapor is cooled and changes to liquid form

cumulus (KEW-mew-lus) — puffy, white clouds usually seen on warm, sunny days

evaporation (eh-VAP-uh-RA-shuhn) — the process that occurs when heat changes liquid into vapor

front (FRUHNT) — the place where warm and cold air masses meet

humidity (hyoo-MID-ih-TEE) — moisture in the air

meteorology (ME-tee-ur-OL-oh-JEE) — branch of science that studies weather and climate in our atmosphere

precipitation (preh-SIP-ih-TAY-shuhn) — droplets of water that fall to the ground

stratus (STRAT us) — low clouds that usually signal possible rain

temperature (TEM-pur-uh-chur) — a measurement of how hot or cold our environment is

troposphere (TROP-uhs-FEER) — the lower layer of Earth's atmosphere

tsunamis (SUE-nahm-eez) — giant waves that hit land as a result of an undersea earthquake, volcanic eruption, or landslide

warm front (WAHRM FRUHNT) — weather that occurs when a warm air mass is pushing against a cold air mass

water vapor (WAH tur VAY pur) — the gas form of water